Who can join?

We provide local young people aged between Year 4 – Year 13 with the opportunity to perform, learn theatre skills and techniques and, most importantly, have fun!

We operate in a friendly, encouraging and positive environment.  We expect that our members will attend our sessions suitably dressed and ready to participate fully in the planned activities out of respect for the leaders and other members of the group.

Where & When?

We meet on Wednesday evenings during term time at The Stowmarket Hub, Crown Street, Stowmarket IP14 1HY. We have two groups.   There is a Junior Group which is Year 4 – Year 7/8 that meets at 6pm til 7.15pm.   We also run a Senior Group which is Year 8/9 – Year 13 that meets at 7pm til 9pm.

What do we do?

Our sessions include a variety of different activities including games, drama exercises, movement, singing, and sketches but much of our time is spent rehearsing for our Youth Group shows.  We also invite external practitioners to run workshop evenings.  These vary, but have included African Drumming, Dance and Movement and Circus Skills.

Our next show is ?

Watch this space for what is coming up in 2024 for our youth groups.

What shows do we perform?

We usually work towards one show each a year – these can be plays, musicals or compilation shows. We often divide into groups to rehearse for these.  This provides more scope for our young actors and gives us the opportunity to experiment with productions that are tailored specifically to age.

Where do we perform?

Our most recent performances have been at Stowupland High school drama hall, but in the past have used over venues like The Mix. Our audience is local and mostly consists of family and friends. But please do support and young.

Who runs the group?

The group is run by volunteers.  As a subsidiary of Stowmarket Operatic & Dramatic Society most of the leaders are also members of the main society and/or parents of junior members.  Adult Leaders with the group are expected to obtain a Chaperone Licence from Suffolk County Council when they join us, which includes enhanced checks for suitability to work with young people.  If you are interested in becoming a leader please contact our Child Protection Officer, Jo Chadwick via our Contact Us page.

Can Youth Group members be involved in the Main Society productions?

Youth Group members are welcome to audition for any main society production where the director is looking for young performers but there is no obligation to.  Being a Youth Group member will not give you priority over external applicants as auditions for our Main Society shows are open to all.

Details for all Main Society productions are included in the SODS Newsletter which goes out to all members, including those in the Youth Group.
We actively encourage our members to stay in touch as they get older and hope they will join the main society or even become leaders themselves.  Several of the current SODS Adult Members were once Little SODS!

How can I join?

If you’d like to join us we’ll be happy to add your name to our waiting list.   Please send an enquiry to Jo Chadwick via our contact us page and include your full name, date of birth, the name of a parent or guardian and their contact telephone number.

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